Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, one of the aspirants in the Ayawaso East NDC parliamentary primary, has defended giving television sets and other items to delegates, insisting that the gestures were not intended to influence the outcome of the vote.
Speaking to journalists after casting his ballot at the Nima Cluster of Schools, Baba Jamal said:
“So if you give television sets to people, what is wrong with it? This is not the first time I am gifting things to people. Those who know me know that every Christmas and on every occasion I have put down GHS 2.5 million to give free loans to people.”
During the voting process, his campaign reportedly distributed 32-inch televisions, boiled eggs, and other items to delegates.
Baba Jamal emphasised that giving gifts is not the same as vote-buying, stressing that the key issue is whether a gift is used to manipulate voting decisions.
“If somebody gives you a gift, you can take it. But allowing that gift to influence your vote—that is what is wrong. It is not the item itself, it is the intention behind it,” he explained.
He added that these gestures were part of ongoing community engagement efforts in the constituency, aimed at providing support and bringing people together rather than swaying the outcome of the primary.
“I do not think I have gone wrong. I’ve met people, I’ve spoken to them, and I hope they will see reason and come along with me,” Baba Jamal said.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned what it describes as widespread incidents of bribery and vote-buying during the Ayawaso East primaries. The party announced the immediate launch of investigations into the alleged misconduct.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretariat on Saturday, February 7, 2026, the NDC said its national executives had been alerted to reports of inducement and vote-buying by some aspirants.
“The party vehemently condemns these actions in no uncertain terms as they represent an affront to the values and principles of the party and the reset agenda the party is championing,” the statement said.
ALSO READ:
Baba Jamal wins Ayawaso East NDC primary
Ayawaso East NDC primary: Sorting and counting underway after voting ends
